How to cancel Placeit and reclaim your design budget in new zealand
Why you're here: understanding Placeit and your cancellation options
Placeit (Envato Placeit Pty Ltd) is an online design library that supplies templates, mockups, logos and video assets to small business owners, marketers and entrepreneurs across New Zealand. The platform charges in USD, which your bank converts to NZD at the daily exchange rate. If you've signed up but no longer need unlimited downloads, or if the monthly subscription no longer fits your budget, cancelling before your next billing cycle prevents unwanted charges. This guide walks you through your cancellation options, your legal position under New Zealand consumer law, and what happens after you cancel. Yafee has helped thousands of New Zealand consumers understand their rights and cancel subscriptions without confusion or hidden fees.
What Placeit costs and who it serves
Placeit serves freelancers, agencies and business owners who need fast design solutions without hiring a graphic designer. The service offers two recurring subscription tiers: a monthly plan at approximately NZ$24 (US$14.95) and an annual plan at approximately NZ$144 (US$89.69). You can also purchase individual items one-off for between US$2 and US$30. The annual plan delivers better value if you commit long-term, but the monthly option gives you flexibility to cancel without penalty. If you've realised the service doesn't match your workflow, or your budget has tightened, cancelling is your right under New Zealand consumer protection law.
When you should consider cancelling
You should cancel Placeit if you haven't logged in for more than two months, if the monthly charge is straining your cash flow, or if you've found a cheaper alternative. You should also cancel if you purchased an annual plan but realise within 14 days that the service isn't right for you-New Zealand consumer law may entitle you to a refund under the Consumer Guarantees Act 1993. Cancelling before your renewal date is always faster than trying to negotiate a refund after being charged. Yafee recommends checking your billing date now so you cancel with enough time to spare.
Placeit pricing and subscription breakdown
This section sets out the exact costs you're currently paying and how Placeit charges your New Zealand bank account.
Current plans and what you pay
| Plan type |
Price (USD / approx. NZD) |
Billing cycle |
What's included |
| Unlimited monthly |
US$14.95 / ~NZ$24 |
Renews monthly |
Unlimited downloads, full template library, commercial use rights |
| Unlimited annual |
US$89.69 / ~NZ$144 |
Renews yearly |
Unlimited downloads, full template library, commercial use rights |
| One-off purchase |
US$2-US$30 |
No renewal |
Single item (mockup, logo or video), permanent licence |
How currency conversion affects your new zealand charges
Placeit displays all prices in US dollars on its website. When you pay, your New Zealand bank applies the daily USD to NZD exchange rate and deducts the converted amount from your account. Your bank statement will show both the original USD amount and the NZD equivalent charged. This means your actual NZD cost fluctuates slightly each month depending on currency movement. If the NZD strengthens against the USD, you'll pay less; if it weakens, you'll pay more. Understanding this helps you forecast your budget accurately. If you're on a monthly plan and unhappy with the exchange-rate impact, switching to annual billing locks in a single conversion or cancelling immediately stops future charges altogether.
Your legal rights as a new zealand consumer
New Zealand consumer protection law gives you specific rights when you cancel a subscription service, and understanding these rights ensures you don't accept unfair terms.
Consumer guarantees act 1993 and your position
The Consumer Guarantees Act 1993 (CGA) is the primary law protecting you as a consumer in New Zealand. Under the CGA, goods and services must be of acceptable quality, fit for purpose and supplied with care and skill. If Placeit fails to deliver on these guarantees-for example, if templates don't work as advertised, or the platform is persistently offline-you have the right to cancel, claim a refund or request a replacement service. The CGA also gives you a 14-day cooling-off period for distance contracts (those concluded online or by phone without face-to-face agreement). This means if you purchase an annual plan online and change your mind within 14 days, you can cancel and claim a full refund, provided you haven't substantially used the service.
Your legal position on cancellation
Your legal position: You have the right to cancel your Placeit subscription at any time without penalty or justification. If you cancel before your renewal date, no new charge will be processed. If Placeit has charged you in error, or if you cancel within 14 days of purchasing an annual plan and have barely used the service, you are entitled to claim a refund under the CGA. Yafee advises keeping cancellation confirmation emails and payment records as evidence should you need to escalate a dispute. If Placeit refuses to honour your cancellation or refund request, you can lodge a complaint with the Commerce Commission (the New Zealand consumer enforcement authority) or seek help from your local Citizens Advice Bureau.
Terms and conditions limitations
Placeit's terms of service may include clauses that try to limit your cancellation rights or impose early-termination fees. However, any term that contradicts the Consumer Guarantees Act 1993 or the Fair Trading Act 1986 is not enforceable in New Zealand. You cannot be charged a penalty for cancelling a subscription, nor can the company withhold a refund on the grounds of "no refunds" clauses that breach consumer law. If Placeit's cancellation policy conflicts with New Zealand law, the law takes precedence. Yafee emphasises this point because many international companies underestimate New Zealand consumer protections and attempt to impose unfair cancellation restrictions that simply don't stand up in court.
How to cancel Placeit through your online account
The quickest way to cancel Placeit is via your online account settings, which takes approximately five minutes and requires no contact with customer support.
Step 1: sign into your Placeit account
Open a web browser and go to placeit.net. Enter the email address and password associated with your account. If you've forgotten your password, click the 'Forgot password' link and follow the email reset instructions. Make sure you're logging into the correct account, especially if you have multiple Placeit subscriptions across different email addresses.
Step 2: navigate to your account settings
Once signed in, look for the account menu, usually located in the top right corner of the screen (often a gear icon or a dropdown menu with your name or email). Click on 'Account Settings' or 'My Account'. This takes you to a dashboard showing your profile information, subscription details and billing history.
Step 3: find your subscription management section
Within Account Settings, locate the 'Subscription' or 'Billing' section. This page displays your current plan, renewal date, payment method and subscription status. Scroll down to find the option labelled 'Cancel Subscription', 'Manage Subscription' or 'End Membership'.
Step 4: initiate the cancellation process
Click the cancellation option. Placeit will prompt you to confirm your decision and may offer you a discounted renewal rate to encourage you to stay-this is standard practice and you can ignore the offer. Select 'Yes, cancel my subscription' or equivalent confirmation language.
Step 5: receive and save your cancellation confirmation
Placeit will display an on-screen confirmation message and send a confirmation email to your registered address. The email typically includes your cancellation date, when your access ends and your last billing date. Save this email in a folder or print it as proof of cancellation. If you don't receive a confirmation email within 15 minutes, check your spam or junk folder; if it's still absent, contact Placeit support immediately to verify the cancellation went through.
Cancelling via email if online access fails
If you cannot access your Placeit account online, or if the account settings page doesn't load, you can cancel by sending a cancellation request via email.
How to submit a cancellation request by email
- Open your email client and compose a new message.
- Address the email to Placeit's support team. Placeit publishes support contact details on their website; the standard support email is typically [email protected] or [email protected]. Confirm the correct address on their contact page before sending.
- If you cannot find a direct support email, use the contact form on the Placeit website and select 'Cancellation' or 'Billing' as the issue type.
- Write a clear subject line: 'Subscription cancellation request' or 'Cancel my Placeit subscription'.
- In the email body, include:
- Your full name
- The email address associated with your Placeit account
- Your subscription plan type (monthly or annual)
- The date you wish the cancellation to take effect (ideally immediately or before your next renewal date)
- A clear statement: 'I request that my Placeit subscription be cancelled effective immediately.'
- Send the email and keep a copy for your records.
- Expect a response from Placeit support within 48 hours confirming your cancellation. If you don't receive confirmation within three business days, follow up with a second email or phone call.
Cancellation address for postal notices
Placeit (Envato Placeit Pty Ltd) does not publish a New Zealand-specific postal address for cancellation notices. Their registered business address is in Australia. Yafee advises that postal cancellation is slower and less reliable than email or online cancellation; email or the online portal should always be your first choice. If you must send a postal notice, request Placeit's registered office address via their support email before posting, and send it via registered mail with proof of delivery so you have evidence the notice was received.
What happens after you cancel Placeit
Cancelling Placeit ends your subscription and access to the platform, but understanding what occurs after cancellation helps you avoid confusion or surprise charges.
Access and asset download after cancellation
Once you cancel, you lose access to Placeit's template library, mockup tools and video editor within 24 hours of confirmation. You cannot download new assets after your cancellation takes effect. However, any files you downloaded before cancellation remain yours to use-the commercial use licence you paid for does not expire when your subscription ends. If you need specific templates or mockups, download them before you cancel. After cancellation, you cannot edit designs in the Placeit online editor, but you can continue using exported files in other software like Adobe Creative Suite or Canva.
Billing and refund expectations
If you cancel before your next renewal date, no additional charge will be applied to your payment method. Your current access continues until the end of your paid billing period. For example, if your monthly subscription renews on the 15th and you cancel on the 5th, your access continues until the 15th but no new charge posts on that date. If you cancel an annual plan mid-year and are eligible for a refund under the 14-day cooling-off period (Consumer Guarantees Act 1993), Placeit will process the refund to your original payment method within 7-14 business days. Refunds are shown as credits on your bank statement or credit card statement, not as cash deposits to your account.
Confirming your cancellation status
After cancellation, log into your Placeit account again a few days later to verify the subscription shows as 'cancelled' or 'inactive'. If your account still displays an active renewal date or pending charge, contact Placeit support immediately to confirm the cancellation was processed. Yafee recommends this double-check because a small percentage of cancellations fail to register on the first attempt due to system delays or data syncing issues.
Refunds and what you're entitled to claim
Your refund eligibility depends on when you purchased your subscription and how much you've used the service.
14-day cooling-off period for new subscriptions
Under the Consumer Guarantees Act 1993 and the Fair Trading Act 1986, you have a 14-day right to cancel a distance contract (any contract made online) without giving a reason. This applies to your initial purchase of an annual Placeit subscription. If you bought the annual plan 10 days ago and have barely used it, you can cancel and claim a full refund. The refund will be processed to your original payment method (your credit or debit card) within 14 business days. To claim the cooling-off refund, cancel your subscription via the online portal or email support, and explicitly state: 'I am exercising my 14-day cooling-off right under the Consumer Guarantees Act 1993 and request a full refund.'
Refunds beyond the 14-day window
If you cancel after the 14-day cooling-off period, you are generally not entitled to a refund of your subscription fee for the current billing period. However, if Placeit has failed to deliver on its service promises-for instance, if the platform is down for extended periods, templates are not fit for purpose, or the service violates the CGA's quality guarantees-you can claim a refund based on breach of contract or failure to supply a service of acceptable quality. Yafee recommends contacting Placeit support first to explain the defect and request a refund as a gesture of goodwill; if they refuse, escalate to the Commerce Commission.
How to claim a refund
Email Placeit support with the subject 'Refund claim' and include your account email, the reason for your refund claim, and the amount (subscription cost and any currency conversion charges). If claiming under the 14-day cooling-off right, quote the Consumer Guarantees Act 1993 and the date of your purchase. Allow 5-7 business days for a response. If Placeit denies your refund and you believe you have grounds under consumer law, lodge a complaint with the Commerce Commission (www.comcom.govt.nz) or contact your local Citizens Advice Bureau for free guidance.
Common mistakes to avoid when cancelling Placeit
Cancelling a subscription is straightforward, but a few simple errors can leave you confused or facing unexpected charges-the good news is that knowing these pitfalls helps you avoid them entirely.
Forgetting to check your renewal date
Many subscribers don't know when their next billing date is and cancel too late. Check your Placeit account or your bank statement now to find your renewal date. If it's within the next seven days and you want to cancel, do it immediately. If you're unsure of your renewal date, email Placeit support or log into your account settings to see it displayed clearly. Yafee advises setting a phone reminder one week before your renewal so you have time to cancel if needed.
Cancelling without saving proof
Always save or print your cancellation confirmation email. Don't rely on memory or assume you can retrieve it later if needed. File the confirmation in a dedicated folder on your computer labelled 'Subscriptions' or 'Cancellations'. If a dispute arises (for example, Placeit claims you never cancelled and charges you again), this email is your proof.
Assuming cancellation is instant
Cancellation is processed within 24 hours, but access and billing don't stop immediately in all cases. Allow 24 hours for the cancellation to take full effect. If you see a charge on your account 48 hours after cancelling, contact Placeit support with your cancellation confirmation; they can reverse the charge if the system failed to recognise your cancellation request.
Trying to cancel through social media or third-party sites
Don't message Placeit on Instagram or Facebook asking to cancel. These channels are monitored by marketing teams, not billing support, and your request will likely be ignored or forwarded slowly. Use the online portal or email [email protected] directly.
Comparing Placeit to alternatives before you fully leave
Before you cancel Placeit, consider whether another design platform might better suit your needs or budget.
Alternative design platforms worth considering
| Platform |
Cost (NZD approx.) |
Best for |
Key difference from Placeit |
| Canva Pro |
~NZ$180/year |
Social media, marketing materials, brand consistency |
Simpler, more intuitive editor; fewer stock assets |
| Adobe Creative Cloud |
~NZ$900/year (basic) |
Professional design, video, photography editing |
Industry standard; steep learning curve; more powerful |
| Envato Elements |
~NZ$180/year |
Stock assets, templates, video effects, fonts |
Broader asset library; owned by same parent company as Placeit |
| Figma |
Free or ~NZ$240/year |
UI/UX design, collaboration, prototyping |
Focused on product design, not marketing templates |
| Crello (now Flixier) |
~NZ$120-NZ$240/year |
Video creation, animation, social content |
Video-first approach; less static template-focused |
If you're unhappy with Placeit's pricing or features, these alternatives offer similar or complementary services at different price points. Canva Pro is generally cheaper and easier to use for marketing teams; Adobe Creative Cloud is the choice for professional designers; Envato Elements (also owned by Envato) offers a broader library of stock content. Before cancelling, trial one of these alternatives to ensure a smooth transition.
Your cancellation checklist
Use this checklist to ensure you've completed every step correctly and have proof of cancellation.
| Step |
Completed? |
| Checked your renewal date and billing cycle |
[ ] |
| Logged into your Placeit account or emailed support with cancellation request |
[ ] |
| Received cancellation confirmation email and saved it to your records |
[ ] |
| Downloaded any final assets or templates you need before access ends |
[ ] |
| Verified 24 hours later that your subscription shows as 'cancelled' in your account |
[ ] |
| Checked your bank statement 3 days after renewal date to confirm no charge was applied |
[ ] |
What yafee can help you with if cancellation goes wrong
If Placeit refuses to honour your cancellation, charges you after you cancelled, or denies a refund you're entitled to claim, Yafee has helped thousands of New Zealand consumers resolve subscription disputes quickly and fairly. Yafee provides clear guidance on your consumer rights under New Zealand law, helps you draft complaint letters to companies, and advises on escalation to the Commerce Commission or Citizens Advice Bureau if needed. Visit yafee.com to access templates, step-by-step guides and contact information for consumer enforcement agencies. Yafee also maintains a database of company cancellation policies and user reviews so you can learn from others' experiences before you sign up for any subscription service.
Summary: cancelling Placeit is your right
Cancelling your Placeit subscription is straightforward, fast and protected by New Zealand consumer law. You can cancel online within minutes, via email if you can't access your account, or by postal notice if neither option works. Your legal rights under the Consumer Guarantees Act 1993 guarantee that you can cancel without penalty, claim a refund within 14 days if the service doesn't suit you, or dispute unfair cancellation terms that breach consumer law. After you cancel, confirm your subscription shows as inactive, download any final assets you need, and verify no new charge appears on your next renewal date. If Placeit resists your cancellation or refuses a valid refund claim, the Commerce Commission (New Zealand's consumer enforcement authority) will investigate your complaint for free. Yafee recommends acting now if you've already decided to cancel-there's no benefit to waiting, and cancelling before your renewal date prevents a charge you no longer want. For more guidance on cancelling other subscriptions, managing your digital services or claiming refunds under consumer law, Yafee provides free resources at yafee.com and stands ready to support you every step of the way.